Short Range

Dan Shepherd #16

by Stephen Leather

The explosive new thriller in the Spider Shepherd series

Dan 'Spider' Shepherd's career path - soldier, cop, MI5 officer - has always put a strain on his family. So he is far from happy to learn that MI5 is using teenagers as informants. Parents are being kept in the dark and Shepherd fears that the children are being exploited.

As an undercover specialist, Shepherd is tasked with protecting a 15-year-old schoolboy who is being used to gather evidence against violent drug dealers and a right-wing terrorist group.

But when the boy's life is threatened, Shepherd has no choice but to step in and take the heat.

And while Shepherd's problems mount up on the job front, he has even greater problems closer to home. His son Liam has fallen foul of the Serbian Mafia and if Shepherd doesn't intervene, Liam will die.

******************

Praise for Stephen Leather

'A master of the thriller genre'
Irish Times

'As tough as British thrillers get . . . gripping'
Irish Independent

'The sheer impetus of his story-telling is damned hard to resist'
Sunday Express

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Amazon

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Stephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 16th book in the Spider Shepherd series by Stephen Leather, full of action and thrills.

Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd is an excellent character from the same mould as Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. An ex SAS soldier and MI5 officer, Spider Shepherd’s life has always been action filled. As an undercover specialist Shepherd is tasked with protecting a 15-year-old schoolboy who is being used to gather evidence against violent drug dealers and a right-wing terrorist group. But when the boy’s life is threatened, Shepherd has no choice but to step in and take the heat. To add the the thrills there are problems close to home with his son Liam’s life threatened.

I have always found this series an exciting read with plenty of action and a good mix of personal issues but I am feeling a little uneasy of the constant racist undertones featured in these novels with immigration and race related stories. I am not suggesting that this is anything more than the characters feelings and beliefs but on finishing this novel I just felt uncomfortable.

Stephen Leather is a great storyteller and have enjoyed many of his books but maybe it’s time for me to take a break from this series.

[Razan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author seems to have forgotten Katra's (sp) family background. When he first introduced the character, her mother was supposedly dead and she helped her father bring up several brothers.
I am also very unhappy that he killed her off in this book- an unpleasant surprise & unnecessary.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good series and the Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series is a belter of a one by the author. This is the 16th in the series of which I am currently a bit behind but I love to nip in and out of these books when I have the time and being on holiday gave me the perfect opportunity to devour Short Range in a day.

There are a few threads in this particular story. One to do with country lines, another to do with buying illegal firearms to use them for no good as well as a more personal one for Dan. All had the adrenaline running through my body as one thing with Dan Shepherd, things are never dull where he is concerned! The personal thread especially had my heart in my mouth as Liam tries to step up in his dad’s absence and it makes for some very emotional reading to say the least.

You’ve got to love Dan even though he gets torn between work and his personal life. There have been a few times I’ve wanted to scream at him or give him a piece of my mind at putting his loved ones second over his job but I know in the real world, putting them first isn’t always possible. Plus Dan’s job is a very complicated one and he does so much good and has a heart of a gold which you can see in the thread to do with the country lines aspect of the story when it comes to the young character of Harry.

Short Range was a heart racing read that sent my pulse soaring. There is lots of action of which, some as always made me want to hide behind my hands. As in real life, there isn’t always a happy ending and this story makes for a stark reminder. I love that even sixteen books into this series, I enjoy the more recent books every bit as much as I did the very first ones. For an author to keep his readers interest so far into a series shows a great deal of skill and writing capability and look forward to many more in this thrilling series.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Leather is one of the few authors who can grab my attention in the first few pages. he did that but i felt that the book was rushed and shorter than the others
the story line was good , the bit in the middle that was a shock was a shock to say the least
spiders new boss could be interesting
saying that it did feel like the end came to a rushed conclusion

[Richard Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but do miss the old stand alone books like The Birthday Girl and Tunnel Rats. The "Spider" series is starting to feel a wee bit soap opera-ish

[Nick Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 16 in this excellent series is slightly shorter than usual but is up to the usual high standards we have come to expect. I’m not sure I know of any other series as consistently good as this one.

Spider Shepherd is involved in an intelligence operation aimed at far right extremists and is uncomfortable that a teenager is being used as an agent. While he is immersed in protecting the kid and following up on the information gathered, his son Liam (in the Army now) comes home to help Spider’s girlfriend out with a problem, and it goes horribly wrong. Spider could end up losing everything precious to him, including the teenage agent, if he plays things wrong.
We build to a frantic, exciting and life changing finish, it is impossible to put this book down and the author does his usual job of not doing the expected.
It’s excellent, of course it is and you would expect nothing less. As a thriller we have a great page turning read, but it is the other things that make this exceptional. It reflects modern society and changing views, character opinions (uncomfortable or not) are those you hear regularly. Characters within the series grow and change as does the environment they work within. So this truly is an evolving series and that means you never just get variations of the same story. Thriller writing at its finest.
I am very grateful to Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

[Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot was less complex compared to previous instalments.
Not one of my favourites.

I was stunned by the events in Slovenia. As I was reading I thought it could have been possible but then to actually happen… I was stunned. That particular character was probably becoming redundant but I think their fate could have been handled better.

Spider is a stickler for details. No way he would have let his guard down in that manner. Perhaps he was emotional with those close to him involved but as a character I don’t think that reaction is worthy of him.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I aways enjoy this series, the books are fast paced and I suppose the plots and daring deeds by Spider Shepherd a tad overdone and almost impossible to achieve but they are still enjoyable

[Big Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome return for one of my favourite fictional characters, Dan (Spider) Shepherd. In this the 16th in the series he is tasked with looking after Harry, a young boy who has got himself involved in a County Lines drug operation.
Spider finds himself working alongside old friend Geordie Sharp, the pair have a great mix of professionalism and banter that keeps the storyline interesting and easy to read. Breathing some fresh life into the series is Spiders new boss Pritchard, a great character who Spider soon discovers has more to him than first meets the eye. Son Liam also plays a key part in this one; growing up fast he's home on leave from his Army training and with his dad not around, he tries to help his dads girlfriend Katra out of a family crisis with dramatic results.

Whilst a fan or the series I'd be the first to admit to liking some more than others and this one is up there with my favourites; bang up to date with topical affairs and a good mix of action, drama and personal life. I was drawn in from the opening pages and didn't put it down until I'd read the final pages. One of the best in the series in my opinion 5/5.

My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy, I was under no obligation and this review is my honest opinion.

[Nabarun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 16th and the last of the Spider series from Stephen Leather. Quite a good book, Stephen decided to discontinue some of the boring and stale characters in his series and reveal some exciting new characters.

3 main sub-plots which make up the book. Some anti-muslim narcissists in UK are planning targeted attacks on Muslims and mosques. One of the key activist is Dexter and MI5 comes up with a plan to use his nephew (Harry) as the source to gather evidence against Dexter and put him behind before the attacks happen. Harry is also a bit rotten, as he is into drugs and works as a drug mule. When a Serbian gang comes into London, starts killing other drug gangs to emerge as the sole proprietor, MI5 becomes more interested in Harry as the mule to collect enough evidence and put the new Serbian hang behind. The final thread is Spider’s personal life with Katra. Spider with his work demands spend lesser and lesser time with Katra. Katra’s family gets into trouble in Serbia and Liam tries to help out but gets caught in the fight and becomes a hostage along with Katra.

All the 3 plots are progressed well before it is actually finished. Shepard’s worry for Harry the kid being used as drug mule is touching. The actions in Serbia to free Katra, Mia (Katra’s sister) and Liam was the adrenal bit of this book. Nice way to remove Katra from the future plots, she as the loving & cribbing girlfriend of Spider was slowly getting a bit irritating to be honest. Pritchard as Spider’s Boss was a nice refreshing addition. How he appears as a paper pushing bureaucrat at the beginning and then becomes a trusted and worthy partner in crime with Shepard is the good bits of the book.

To be honest, I was getting a bit bored of reading the same type of undercover plots in the Spider series as the wow factor was reducing and no new angle was opening up. I liked the way the author finishes, it suggests that the new book is ready to shake things up with new plots and characters. So a good book, but hopefully we will get better ones from Stephen Leather going forward.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Leather 100%, absolutely and with his usual panaché delivers once again.
Although picking up one of his novels always feels like putting comfy slippers on, in no way is this a gentle experience.
The research was outstanding and the tension palpable as it builds to a conclusion which is shocking. I was at 92%, thinking 'How on earth is he going to tie this up?' but I should have had more faith. The last 8% blew me away.
Interesting that we are now seeing Spider's son Liam growing up. I do hope this means that when Dan is ready to hang up his boots, we have another emerging hero in the background?
I think Stephen Leather is probably my favourite author, not only for the thrilling ride every single time but also for the sheer consistency of quality. I've never, in over twenty years, read even a mediocre one from him and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Stuff 'n' Things

Stephen Leather has done it again! What? you may ask - written another brilliant Dan "Spider" Shepherd book that's what!

I admit that I am a fan and reading an instalment in the turbulent life of Spider is like putting on a pair of comfy shoes but don't for one minute think reading one of these books is easy and boring, far from it - you need to keep your wits about you as you will be in for a bumpy ride.

With fantastic characters, a very relevant and plausible story-line and twists and turns, this is one book you won't want to miss but that ending ... oh Mr Leather, why? I almost cried!

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

[Sue Morcumb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story with more action and more realistic story and things all turned out for the best, but I wonder how or if there will be another book to finish the story and the Dan Shepherd stories, as I am sure there must be more for him to do, he is such a great character and I am glad that he saved his son, and that all worked out well, as always several different stories in one book so you had to keep your wits about you. I did enjoy this book as it was more in keeping with his other books, and more like Dan Shepherd in action word and deed, he is a great character, and would not like to lose him, so keep him alive Stephen Leather, and lets us have some more great stories, please?

[Julie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd book.
Spider is asked to work with a teenager who has got involved in drug dealing and it doesn’t sit right with him that someone so young is now working undercover.
Spider is there as his guardian angel and he really feels for the situation he’s in.
There’s also another group targeting Muslims so Spider has his hands full yet again.
As usual he’s in the thick of it but a concerning text from his son Liam puts a stop to everything.
Liam and Katra are in danger and there is a ransom demand for their return. Spider gets help from an unexpected person but soon lives are in danger.
This is yet another brilliant book in this great series.

[Mike Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't see that coming!

Stephen Leather is one of the few authors who can grab my attention in the first few pages.
And he has done it again with this latest Spider novel. Apart from anything else, the subject matters ate , once again, up-to-date and topical
Spider and Razor work on yet another case and Liam gets involved with some heavy stuff, like father, like son!
There are some twists and turns including one I really didn't expect!
A five star review for a five star book. Not another year to wait for the next one
Well done again Stephen and thank you

[Bob Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan's the Man

Great Stephen Leather, Dan Shepherd story. Dan gets involved in a scheme to foil a drugs gand, clear them up, and put it behind him. However, he finds out that a young teenage boy is their "inside man," so he becomes the boys' guardian angel. Whilst this is happening, he is tasked to get involved with a white supremacy movement over escalating concerns about their plans. The rest of the tale is action-packed, spine chilling excitement with Dan right in the middle of it all. Great novel, as always brilliantly written.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Dan Shepherd entry in the long series is typical of Leather's thrillers: lots of action, a bit of sex, some drugs, several layers and types of bad folks, and a regular disparaging of Muslims, though he is careful to clarify "terrorist Muslims." Sure, these are fluff thrillers and there must be an evil antagonist, but it strains forgiveness. Think I've read four or five of Leather's thrillers, and I'll finish the series, though I'm not finding them in sequence. Doesn't matter much.

[David McFarlane]

I like flawed characters, but those with their own moral compass. Somethings they will do, but there somethings that they just won't. Child slavery, which in a way is what this book encompasses, is one of those things. But this book is more than that, and I leave it up to yourself to find out if you like or loath Dan 'Spider' Shepherd and about 'Harry' the young (but not so young) boy in the story

[Mr Roy Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Dan, a.k.a Spider. He has no luck. Katra, who has lovilngly looked after Liam for 20 years and fallen in love with Dan, is no more. I admit I was shocked when the big bad Serb pulled the trigger and blasted away poot Katra. Liam must wonder what he has done to serve such a father. This was the usual Spider book of about 3 plots in one book, linked loosely together. Some topical themes, and it was good to move partly away from the Muslim fundamentalist theme in more recent books and towards bad gangs from the UK and the Albanians taking over the drugs ring. Anyway, Spider came out on top again, albeit with more personal damage, and I don't suppose we have seen the last of Dan's new boss. Very little SAS in this book, other than a quick phone call.

[Helen Perkovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Another cracker from Stephen Leather! Just when you think you know what will happen he throws in another curveball. Topical issues feature in the story such as the anger felt as a result of the grooming and pimping of young girls in certain UK cities. Buy this book, you will not be able to put it down - I certainly couldn't!

[MR KHALEEL RASHID · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Leather delivers as always, Spider Shepherd is definitely one of my favourite characters in any book I’ve read.

Action packed and exciting, multiple plots make this a riveting read! Like how the characters are developing, particularly Liam.

Keep up the good work Mr Leather!

[Charles Haworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very readable nonsense - enjoyed

So this time we look at right wing terrorism, county drug lines and international crime types. We also have some malarkey with Slovakian sex trafficking.

Usual everyday stuff with Spider and his world. Absolute nonsense but engaging fun none the less - instantly forgettable but a real page turner whilst reading.

[Kevin Merchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you stay on the Dan Shepherd or Jack Nightingale you are on a win, win situation. The other books (not short stories) are great as well. Only one of his books have I struggled.

This one welcomes back Spider Shepherd with two events intertwined again, but spider works it out, at cost ("nice" twist) Stephen. 10/10 again

[Becks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t actually finish reading this because it was the 16th in the series, unbeknown to me and therefore I didn’t fully understand. However I think that each book is a different mission/job as I understood what was actually happening.
I didn’t like that there were no chapters and found I got too bored reading it to continue.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decent story, decent ending. Some people aren’t happy with the way certain bits played out but that’s life.

One thing that doesn’t surprise me is Liams ability to get himself kidnapped or in serious trouble, a strange twist you’d definitely involve Spider the MI5 super-killer in regardless.

Great book!

[Adrian Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this outing, Spider is raging against his superiors for using a teenager as an informant in an attempt to shut down a drugs empire. Only, an Albanian gang are taking over. At the same time, he is distracted when Liam tries to help Katra with family issues in Slovenia. A decent enough read, but kind of misses the depth and moral challenges of some of the earlier books

[Dave Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a perfectly good thriller but it was three story lines which could easily have been a novel each trying to intertwine yet not quite managing it. The ending is then then rushed to get them all wrapped up. Great action and good insight into trade craft but it feels like it doesn't know what is the main plot and what is the sub-plot.

[Cecilia Presho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!

Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen! You know what I mean....
Other that this one moment(!) I loved the book as always. Usual fantastic writing from the country's best writer. Lots more from Spider, please!

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly the best British thriller writer and Sider Shepherd is so current.

Another solid story. without the rules and constraints of the weak British justice system, Spider gets a chance to let rip!
Brilliant.
Mr Leather please do another Lex Harper novel soon.

[Martin Snr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always! I must admit I prefer a book with chapters, but nevertheless, a thrilling story! What a pity that Katra had to die though 😕 I always hoped that she and Daniel will live happily ever after!😉